Help needed: Our founding fathers intentions regarding relig

Count Dooku · Post by **Count Dooku** » 2006-04-24 05:14pm

In my political science class, we are going to start a discussion about the Establishment Clause (on Wedsday), and I need to know whtat our founding fathers intended for us, in regards to religion. I am tasked with upholding the position that they did not intend for America to be a religious country, and as the ONLY secular atheist in the class, I NEED to represent others with my view well. I am the ONLY person on my side of the debate, and on Wedsday I go up against 3 other dogmatic Christians. I NEED YOUR HELP!

General Zod · Post by **General Zod** » 2006-04-24 05:19pm

Ahem.

Count Dooku · Post by **Count Dooku** » 2006-04-24 06:27pm

General Zod wrote:Ahem.

That is the most beautiful thing I've ever read. That'll show me not to read the stickies.

Now that I've got the information, how do I go about presenting it? It's un-deniable that America was NOT founded on the principle of being a Christian nation, but, what's a good/great way to present that? I've never done a debate before, and I have no doubt that my Christian adversaries are going to be un-relenting in their persuit of factually in-correct victory. I must be equally as relentless, but with only one of me (and less than two days to prepare), I've got to be better than they are; but how? Anyone with any debating history, or any advice period, I'd like to hear it!

Post by **Simplicius** » 2006-04-24 07:13pm

To anyone with half a brain, the Establishment Clause speaks for itself. The fact that an explicit statement prohibiting the federal government from passing legislation exists in the fundamental law of the land - the 'holy book' of American government, if you will - is damn important.

Make sure that this point doesn't get lost: the separation of church and state - ergo, a wholly secular political system - is established in the single most important document in all of American history, and the founding document at that.

Also: If you have time to leaf through the Federalist Papers, you may find some useful information. I'm not terribly familiar with them myself, but I recall a citiation of #84 (Hamilton) on the matter of Church and State. That may be of some use. And of course the Papers were all about the intent and nature of the federal government, so they are an authoritative voice on the matter.

DPDarkPrimus · Post by **DPDarkPrimus** » 2006-04-24 07:40pm

It may also good to reference Federalist #10 about the dangers of majority factions, as the argument may be made that "because most people were Christian, they founded it as a Christian nation".

LeftWingExtremist · Post by **LeftWingExtremist** » 2006-04-24 08:36pm

Now that I've got the information, how do I go about presenting it? It's un-deniable that America was NOT founded on the principle of being a Christian nation, but, what's a good/great way to present that? I've never done a debate before, and I have no doubt that my Christian adversaries are going to be un-relenting in their persuit of factually in-correct victory. I must be equally as relentless, but with only one of me (and less than two days to prepare), I've got to be better than they are; but how? Anyone with any debating history, or any advice period, I'd like to hear it!

I would watchout because most school debates I have seen are all about style over substance than anything else, and chances are the teacher is a little more liberal when it comes to debating style. However I could be wrong.